Reciprocating saw blade

ABSTRACT

A saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw includes a body and an attachment portion extending from the body. The attachment portion includes a tang and an aperture configured to connect to the reciprocating saw. The saw blade also includes a cutting portion formed on the body. The cutting portion includes a plurality of cutting teeth and a floor guard tooth positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth. Each cutting tooth has a tip that defines a plane. The floor guard tooth extends from the body beyond the plane. The attachment portion is offset from the plane to reduce interference of the reciprocating saw with a surface while performing a footer cut with the saw blade. The floor guard tooth contacts the surface while performing the footer cut to inhibit the plurality of cutting teeth from contacting the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/375,582, filed Aug. 20, 2010 by Austin J. Kazda, Robert W. Butzen,and Andrew J. Schulz, and titled “RECIPROCATING SAW BLADE,” the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to saw blades and, more particularly, tosaw blades for use with reciprocating saws.

Saw blades, such as reciprocating saw blades, are used for cutting wood,metal, plastics, and other materials. A saw blade typically includes abody, an attachment portion, and a cutting portion. The cutting portionincludes a plurality of teeth made up of one or more tooth forms. When asaw blade is attached to a reciprocating saw, it is often difficult tocut through materials directly adjacent (e.g., on top of) a floor orother hard surface, due to the geometry of the saw blade and the shapeand size of the reciprocating saw. In addition, it is often difficult toperform cuts that are flush against another board or surface.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a saw blade for use with areciprocating saw. The saw blade includes a body and an attachmentportion extending from the body. The attachment portion includes a tangand an aperture configured to connect to the reciprocating saw. The sawblade also includes a cutting portion formed on the body. The cuttingportion includes a plurality of cutting teeth and a floor guard toothpositioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth. Eachcutting tooth has a tip that defines a plane. The floor guard toothextends from the body beyond the plane. The attachment portion is offsetfrom the plane to reduce interference of the reciprocating saw with asurface while performing a footer cut with the saw blade. The floorguard tooth contacts the surface while performing the footer cut toinhibit the plurality of cutting teeth from contacting the surface.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a saw blade for use with areciprocating saw. The saw blade includes a body having a back edge anddefining an opening, and an attachment portion extending from the body.The attachment portion includes a tang and an aperture configured toconnect to the reciprocating saw. The saw blade also includes a cuttingportion formed on the body opposite the back edge. The cutting portionincludes a plurality of cutting teeth. Each cutting tooth has a tip thatdefines a plane. The body has a first height measured generallyperpendicularly from the back edge to the plane. The attachment portionhas a second height measured generally perpendicular to the plane. Aratio of the first height to the second height is between approximately4 and approximately 5. The opening facilitates flexing of the body whileperforming a flush cut with the saw blade.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a saw blade for usewith a reciprocating saw. The saw blade includes a body having a backedge and defining an opening, and an attachment portion extending fromthe body. The attachment portion includes a tang and an apertureconfigured to connect to the reciprocating saw. The saw blade alsoincludes a cutting portion formed on the body opposite the back edge.The cutting portion includes a plurality of cutting teeth, a first floorguard tooth positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of cuttingteeth, and a second floor guard tooth spaced apart from the first floorguard tooth and positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality ofcutting teeth. Each cutting tooth has a tip that defines a plane. Thefirst floor guard tooth and the second floor guard tooth extend from thebody beyond the plane. The body has a first height measured generallyperpendicularly from the back edge to the plane. The attachment portionhas a second height measured generally perpendicular to the plane. Aratio of the first height to the second height is between approximately4 and approximately 5. The opening facilitates flexing of the body whileperforming a flush cut with the saw blade. The attachment portion isoffset from the plane to reduce interference of the reciprocating sawwith a surface while performing a footer cut with the saw blade. Thefirst floor guard tooth and the second floor guard tooth contact thesurface while performing the footer cut to inhibit the plurality ofcutting teeth from contacting the surface.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a saw blade according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the saw blade shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the saw blade of FIG. 1 connected to a reciprocatingsaw and performing a footer cut.

FIG. 4 illustrates the saw blade of FIG. 1 connected to thereciprocating saw and performing a flush cut.

FIG. 5 illustrates a saw blade according to another embodiment of theinvention.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a saw blade 10 according to one embodiment of theinvention. The illustrated saw blade 10 is a reciprocating saw blade foruse with a power tool such as, for example, a reciprocating saw 14(FIGS. 3 and 4). The saw blade 10 includes a body 18, an attachmentportion 22 for connecting the blade 10 to the reciprocating saw 14, anda cutting portion 26 defining a plane 30. In the illustrated embodiment,the body 18, the attachment portion 22, and the cutting portion 26 areintegrally formed as a single piece such that the saw blade 10 is aunitary structure. In other embodiments, the saw blade 10 may be formedfrom several pieces that are welded or otherwise secured together.

The body 18 includes a nose portion 34, an extension portion 38, and amain body portion 42. The body 18 also includes a back edge 46 extendingbetween the extension portion 38 and the main body portion 42. The noseportion 34 is relatively narrow (i.e., short) compared to the main bodyportion 42 and extends from the main body portion 42. A leading edge 50of the main body portion 42 is oriented at an angle A₁ relative to theback edge 46 to transition to the nose portion 34. The leading edge 50offsets the nose portion 34 from the back edge 46. In the illustratedembodiment, the angle A₁ of the leading edge 50 relative to the backedge 46 is approximately 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle A₁may be larger or smaller.

The extension portion 38 is also relatively narrow compared to the mainbody portion 42 and supports the attachment portion 22. The extensionportion 38 extends from the main body portion 42 in a direction oppositethe nose portion 34 such that the attachment portion 22 defines a firstend 54 of the body 18 and the nose portion 34 defines a second end 58 ofthe body 18. The back edge 46 is generally continuous and planar betweenthe extension portion 38 and the main body portion 42.

The main body portion 42 is taller than the nose portion 34 and theextension portion 38 and defines three openings 62, 66, 70. The firstand second openings 62, 66 are generally the same shape and size, butare inverted relative to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst and second openings 62, 66 are generally triangular-shaped suchthat the main body portion 42 resembles a truss. A web 74 of the mainbody portion 42 extends between the first opening 62 and the secondopening 66 to separate the openings 62, 66. The first and secondopenings 62, 66 are thereby completely bounded by the body 18. The thirdopening 70 is formed as a cutout in a trailing edge 78 of the main bodyportion 42. The trailing edge 78 also defines a third end 82 of the body18. The openings 62, 66, 70 remove material from the body 18 tofacilitate flexing the body 18 while performing a flush cut (FIG. 4)with the saw blade 10.

The illustrated body 18 of the saw blade 10 has an overall length L₁ andan overall height H₁. The overall length L₁ is measured generallyparallel to the plane 30 from the first end 54 of the body 18 to thesecond end 58 of the body 18. The overall height H₁ is measuredgenerally perpendicularly from the back edge 46 of the body 18 to theplane 30. In some embodiments, the overall length L₁ is betweenapproximately 8 inches and approximately 12 inches, and the overallheight H₁ is between approximately 2 inches an approximately 2.5 inches.In such embodiments, a ratio of the overall height H₁ to the overalllength L₁ is between approximately 0.17 and approximately 0.31. Therelatively large overall height H₁ of the body 18 helps guide the sawblade 10 along a surface while performing a flush cut (FIG. 4). In theillustrated embodiment, the overall length L₁ is approximately 12 inchesand the overall height H₁ is approximately 2.1 inches such that theratio of the overall height H₁ to the overall length L₁ is approximately0.18.

The overall height H₁ of the saw blade 10 is maintained throughapproximately 60 percent of the overall length L₁ of the blade 10. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a distance L₂ from the first end 54 of thebody 18 to the point where the body 18 begins to transition to the noseportion 34 (i.e., the start of the leading edge 50) is approximately7.625 inches. At the nose portion 34, the height of the saw blade 10 isreduced to that of a conventional reciprocating saw blade. In otherembodiments, the distance L₂ from the first end 54 of the body 18 to theleading edge 50 may be relatively longer or shorter.

The illustrated extension portion 38 has a height H₂ measured generallyperpendicular to the back edge 46 of the body 18. The height H₂ of theextension portion 38 is significantly less than the overall height H₁ ofthe saw blade 10. In some embodiments, a ratio of the overall height H₁to the extension portion height H₂ is between approximately 2.7 andapproximately 3.3. In the illustrated embodiment, the extension portionheight H₂ is approximately 0.75 inches and the ratio is approximately2.8. In other embodiments, the extension portion height H₂ may berelatively larger or smaller.

The attachment portion 22 extends from the body 18 and includes a tang86 and an aperture 90. The tang 86 and the aperture 90 are configured toengage a blade clamp of a reciprocating saw to securely and releasablyconnect the blade 10 to the saw. In the illustrated embodiment, theattachment portion 22 extends from the body 18 at a zero degree tangangle (i.e., the attachment portion 22 extends generally parallel to theplane 30). In other embodiments, the attachment portion 22 may extendfrom the body 18 at an oblique angle such that the saw blade 10reciprocates at an angle relative to a reciprocating saw.

The attachment portion 22 has a height H₃ measured generallyperpendicular to the plane 30. Similar to the extension portion 38, theheight H₃ of the attachment portion 22 is significantly less than theoverall height H₁ of the body 18. In some embodiments, a ratio of theoverall height H₁ to the attachment portion height H₃ is betweenapproximately 4 and approximately 5. In the illustrated embodiment, theheight H₃ of the attachment portion 22 is approximately 0.5 inches andthe ratio of the overall height H₁ to the attachment portion height H₃is approximately 4.2. In other embodiments, the attachment portionheight H₃ may be relatively larger or smaller.

The attachment portion 22 is offset from the plane 30 and from the thirdend 82 of the body 18 to facilitate performing a footer cut (FIG. 3)with the saw blade 10. In particular, the attachment portion 22 isspaced a first offset distance H₄, measured generally perpendicular tothe plane 30, from the plane 30. The attachment portion 22 is alsospaced a second offset distance L₃, measured generally parallel to theplane 30, from the third end 82 of the body 18. The first and secondoffset distances H₄, L₃ provide clearance between the attachment portion22 and the cutting portion 26 to reduce interference from a connectedreciprocating saw while performing cuts in constricted areas. In someembodiments, a ratio of the first offset distance H₄ to the overallheight H₁ of the saw blade 10 is between approximately 0.6 andapproximately 0.8, and a ratio of the second offset distance L₃ to theoverall length L₁ of the saw blade 10 is between approximately 0.2 andapproximately 0.4. In the illustrated embodiment, the first offsetdistance H₄ is approximately 1.5 inches and the second offset distanceL₃ is approximately 2.8 inches. In other embodiments, the first andsecond offset H₄, L₃ distances may be larger or smaller.

The cutting portion 26 extends from the second end 58 of the body 18 tothe third end 82 of the body 18. The cutting portion 26 includes aplurality of cutting teeth 94 and a tip portion 98. The cutting teeth 94are generally similarly shaped and sized to define a tooth form alongthe body 18. The cutting teeth 94 are separated by a plurality ofgullets 102. As shown in FIG. 2, each cutting tooth 94 includes a tip106, a rake face 110, and a relief face 114. The tips 106 of the cuttingteeth 94 define the plane 30 of the cutting portion 26. Each cuttingtooth 94 has a height H₅ measured generally perpendicular to the plane30 from a base 118 of a corresponding gullet 102 to the plane 30. In theillustrated embodiment, the height H₅ of each tooth 94 is approximately0.1 inches. In other embodiments, the height H₅ of the teeth 94 may berelatively larger or smaller or may vary along the cutting portion 26.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the tip portion 98 is formed on the noseportion 34 of the body 18 at the second end 58. The illustrated tipportion 98 is a plunge point including an enlarged first gullet 122 forinitiating a plunge cut with the saw blade 10. In other embodiments, thecutting portion 26 may include different tip configurations forinitiating a plunge cut. In still other embodiments, the tip portion 98may simply define an end of the tooth form and may not be specificallyconfigured for performing a plunge cut.

The illustrated cutting portion 26 also includes two floor guard teeth126, 130 extending from the body 18. In other embodiments, the cuttingportion 26 may include fewer or more floor guard teeth, or the floorguard teeth may be omitted. The first floor guard tooth 126 ispositioned toward the second end 58 of the body 18 between two cuttingteeth 94. The illustrated first floor guard tooth 126 is spaced apartfrom the second end 58 such that the first floor guard tooth 126 doesnot interfere with plunge cuts. The second floor guard tooth 130 ispositioned at the third end 82 of the body 18 adjacent a single cuttingtooth 94. The first and second floor guard teeth 126, 130 are spacedapart from each other to minimize interference when cutting through aboard. The first floor guard tooth 126 is positioned far enough awayfrom the second floor guard tooth 130 such that the teeth 126, 130remain on opposite sides of and do not contact the board as the sawblade 10 is reciprocated. For example, in some embodiments, the floorguard teeth 126, 130 may be spaced at least 6.5 inches apart from eachother to cut through a 2×6 board. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst floor guard tooth 126 is spaced approximately 7.25 inches apartfrom the second floor guard tooth 130. In other embodiments, the floorguard teeth 126, 130 may be spaced closer to or further from each otherto cut through 2×4, 2×8, or 2×10 boards.

The illustrated floor guard teeth 126, 130 are spaced apart from thecutting teeth 94 by one of the gullets 102. In other embodiments, thefloor guard teeth 126, 130 may be spaced further apart from the cuttingteeth 94 such that a larger gullet or dead space is present between thefloor guard teeth 126, 130 and the cutting teeth 94. Each floor guardtooth 126, 130 is generally rounded and includes a relatively flatcontact surface 134, 138. The contact surfaces 134, 138 are generallyparallel to the plane 30. The contact surfaces 134, 138 of the floorguard teeth 126, 130 contact a floor or other surface while performing afooter cut (FIG. 3) with the saw blade 10 to inhibit the cutting teeth94 from contacting the floor surface.

Each floor guard tooth 126, 130 is generally longer than each cuttingtooth 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor guard teeth 126, 130are at least twice as long as each cutting tooth 94. In particular, alength L₄ of the illustrated first floor guard tooth 126 (FIG. 2) isapproximately equal to the length of two adjacent cutting teeth 94,including the gullet 102 positioned therebetween. A length of theillustrated second floor guard tooth 130 is approximately equal to thelength of two adjacent cutting teeth 94, but without a gullet positionedtherebetween. In other embodiments, the floor guard teeth 126, 130 maybe relatively longer or shorter.

As shown in FIG. 2, the floor guard teeth 126, 130 are also generallytaller than the cutting teeth 94 such that the floor guard teeth 126,130 extend from the body 18 beyond the plane 30. The first floor guardtooth has a height H₆ measured generally perpendicular to the plane 30from the base 118 of a corresponding gullet 102 to the contact surface134. In some embodiments, a ratio of the floor guard tooth height H₆ tothe cutting tooth height H₅ is approximately 1.1. In the illustratedembodiment, the floor guard tooth height H₆ is approximately 0.11 inchessuch that the first floor guard tooth 126 extends approximately 0.01inches beyond the plane 30. Although only the first floor guard tooth126 is shown in FIG. 2, the second floor guard tooth 130 hasapproximately the same height as the first floor guard tooth 126 andextends beyond the plane 30 approximately the same distance. In otherembodiments, the first and second floor guard teeth 126, 130 may havedifferent heights.

In some embodiments, the cutting teeth 94 are set relative to the body18 of the saw blade 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting teeth94 between the second end 58 of the body 18 and the first floor guardtooth 126 are unset. Leaving these teeth 94 unset facilitates makingstraight and smooth cuts with the saw blade 10 along the side of, forexample, a window framing board. The unset teeth 94 allow the noseportion 32 of the saw blade 10 to lay flush against a framing board tominimize damage to the board while cutting. At least some of the cuttingteeth 94 between the first and second floor guard teeth 126, 130 areset. For example, the cutting teeth 94 between the floor guard teeth126, 130 may be arranged such that one tooth is set in a firstdirection, the first subsequent tooth is set in a second direction, thesecond subsequent tooth is set in the first direction, the thirdsubsequent tooth is set in the second direction, and the fourthsubsequent tooth is unset. This pattern is repeated along the cuttingportion 26. In the illustrated embodiment, all of the cutting teeth 94immediately adjacent the first and second floor guard teeth 126, 130 areunset. In other embodiments, the cutting teeth 94 may be set in otherpatterns along the tooth form.

FIG. 3 illustrates the saw blade 10 performing a footer cut. During afooter cut, the saw blade 10 is used to cut a board 142, or other pieceof material, that is directly adjacent a floor surface 146. Theattachment portion 22 is inserted into the reciprocating saw 14 toconnect the saw blade 10 to the saw 14. Since the attachment portion 22is offset vertically and horizontally from the cutting portion 26 asdescribed above, the reciprocating saw 14 is likewise offset from thecutting portion 26. The offset reduces, or even eliminates, interferenceof the reciprocating saw 14 with the floor surface 146 as the saw blade10 cuts through the board 142.

In addition, as the saw blade 10 completes the cut through the board142, the cutting teeth 94 would normally contact the floor surface 146(which may be made of, for example, concrete), possibly breaking,dulling, or otherwise damaging the teeth 94. Since the floor guard teeth126, 130 extend further from the body 18 than the cutting teeth 94, thefloor guard teeth 126, 130 contact the floor surface 146 and inhibit thecutting teeth 94 from contacting the floor surface 146. The floor guardteeth 126, 130 also help protect relatively softer surfaces (e.g., woodfloors) by inhibiting the cutting teeth 94 from contacting and cuttinginto the soft surfaces. Providing at least two spaced apart floor guardteeth 126, 130 creates two points of contact between the saw blade 10and the floor surface 146 to reduce the possibility of the saw blade 10tilting relative to the floor surface 146 while performing the cut. Inaddition, providing the attachment portion 22 at the zero degree tangangle makes the saw blade 10 come down generally perpendicular to thefloor surface 146 such that both floor guard teeth 126, 130 contact thesurface 146 at the same time.

FIG. 4 illustrates the saw blade 10 performing a flush cut. During aflush cut, the saw blade 10 is used to cut a board or work piece 150that is directly adjacent a relatively flat surface, such as a floorsurface 154. Such cuts are typically difficult to perform so close tothe floor surface 154 because the relatively wide reciprocating saw 14contacts the floor surface 154 and prevents a conventional saw bladefrom cutting directly against the surface 154. The openings 62, 66, 70of the illustrated saw blade 10 facilitate performing the flush cut byreducing the stiffness of the saw blade 10 along its length. Inparticular, the openings 62, 66, 70 facilitate flexing or bending of thebody 18 of the saw blade 10. In addition, the relatively large overallheight H₁ of the saw blade 10 increases tracking of the blade 10 alongthe floor surface 154 to facilitate cutting in a straight line. Thelarge overall height H₁ also reduces the possibility of the saw blade 10“walking” into and damaging a framing board when performing a flush cutalong the framing board.

FIG. 5 illustrates a saw blade 210 according to another embodiment ofthe invention. The illustrated saw blade 210 is similar to the saw blade10 discussed above. Differences between the saw blades 10, 210 arediscussed in detail below.

The saw blade 210 is a reciprocating saw blade and includes a body 214,an attachment portion 218, and a cutting portion 222. The body 214includes a relatively short nose portion 226 compared to the noseportion 34 of the saw blade 10 shown in FIG. 1. The overall height ofthe illustrated saw blade 210 is thereby maintained through a largerpercentage of its overall length.

The body 214 also defines three openings 230, 234, 238 to increase theflexibility of the saw blade 210. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst opening 230 is considerably larger than the second opening 234. Inaddition, the first opening 230 is bounded on four sides such that thefirst opening 230 is a quadrilateral, while the second opening 234 isbounded on three sides such that the second opening 234 is a triangle.Similar to the third opening 70 discussed above, the illustrated thirdopening 238 is formed as a cutout in a trailing edge 242 of the body.

The cutting portion 222 includes a plurality of cutting teeth 246 andtwo floor guard teeth 250, 254. In the illustrated embodiment, the firstfloor guard tooth 250 is spaced from a second end 258 of the body 214and positioned between two cutting teeth 246. The second floor guardtooth 254 is spaced from a third end 262 of the body 214 and alsopositioned between two cutting teeth 246. The floor guard teeth 250, 254extend from the body 214 further than the cutting teeth 246 to inhibitthe cutting teeth 246 from contacting a floor surface while performing afooter cut.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of theinvention. Various features and advantages of the invention are setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw, thesaw blade comprising: a body; an attachment portion extending from thebody, the attachment portion including a tang and an aperture configuredto connect to the reciprocating saw; and a cutting portion formed on thebody, the cutting portion including a plurality of cutting teeth and afloor guard tooth positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality ofcutting teeth, each cutting tooth having a tip that defines a plane, thefloor guard tooth extending from the body beyond the plane; wherein theattachment portion is offset from the plane to reduce interference ofthe reciprocating saw with a surface while performing a footer cut withthe saw blade, and wherein the floor guard tooth contacts the surfacewhile performing the footer cut to inhibit the plurality of cuttingteeth from contacting the surface.
 2. The saw blade of claim 1, whereinthe floor guard tooth is at least twice as long as each cutting tooth.3. The saw blade of claim 1, wherein the floor guard tooth has arelatively flat surface that is generally parallel to the plane.
 4. Thesaw blade of claim 1, wherein each cutting tooth and the floor guardtooth are separated by a gullet, wherein each cutting tooth has a firstheight measured generally perpendicular to the plane from a base of acorresponding gullet, wherein the floor guard tooth has a second heightmeasured generally perpendicular to the plane from a base of acorresponding gullet, and wherein a ratio of the second height to thefirst height is approximately 1.1.
 5. The saw blade of claim 1, whereinthe floor guard tooth extends approximately 0.01 inches beyond theplane.
 6. The saw blade of claim 1, wherein the attachment portionextends from the body generally parallel to the plane at a zero degreetang angle.
 7. The saw blade of claim 1, wherein the floor guard toothis a first floor guard tooth, wherein the cutting portion includes asecond floor guard tooth spaced apart from the first floor guard toothand positioned adjacent at least one of the plurality of cutting teeth,and wherein the second floor guard tooth extends from the body beyondthe plane to contact the surface while performing the footer cut.
 8. Thesaw blade of claim 7, wherein the first floor guard tooth is positionedbetween two cutting teeth and the second floor guard tooth is positionedat an end of the cutting portion adjacent a single cutting tooth.
 9. Thesaw blade of claim 7, wherein the first floor guard tooth is spaced atleast 6.5 inches from the second floor guard tooth.
 10. The saw blade ofclaim 9, wherein the first floor guard tooth is spaced approximately7.25 inches from the second floor guard tooth.
 11. The saw blade ofclaim 1, wherein the body has a back edge opposite the cutting portionand a height measured generally perpendicularly from the back edge tothe plane, wherein the attachment portion is spaced an offset distancefrom the plane, and wherein a ratio of the offset distance to the heightis between approximately 0.6 and approximately 0.8.
 12. The saw blade ofclaim 1, wherein the attachment portion is offset approximately 1.5inches from the plane.
 13. The saw blade of claim 1, further comprisinga tip portion formed on the body opposite the attachment portion,wherein a first group of cutting teeth is positioned between the floorguard tooth and the tip portion, and wherein all of the first group ofcutting teeth are unset.
 14. The saw blade of claim 13, wherein thefloor guard tooth is positioned between the tip portion and a secondgroup of cutting teeth, and wherein at least some of the second group ofcutting teeth are set.
 15. A saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw,the saw blade comprising: a body having a back edge and defining anopening; an attachment portion extending from the body, the attachmentportion including a tang and an aperture configured to connect to thereciprocating saw; and a cutting portion formed on the body opposite theback edge, the cutting portion including a plurality of cutting teeth,each cutting tooth having a tip that defines a plane; wherein the bodyhas a first height measured generally perpendicularly from the back edgeto the plane, wherein the attachment portion has a second heightmeasured generally perpendicular to the plane, and wherein a ratio ofthe first height to the second height is between approximately 4 andapproximately 5; and wherein the opening facilitates flexing the bodywhile performing a flush cut with the saw blade.
 16. The saw blade ofclaim 15, wherein the ratio of the first height to the second height isapproximately 4.2.
 17. The saw blade of claim 15, wherein the firstheight of the body is at least 2 inches.
 18. The saw blade of claim 17,wherein the first height of the body is approximately 2.1 inches. 19.The saw blade of claim 15, wherein the opening is completely bounded bythe body.
 20. The saw blade of claim 15, wherein the opening is a firstopening, wherein the body defines a second opening spaced apart from thefirst opening, and wherein the second opening further facilitatesflexing the body while performing the flush cut.
 21. The saw blade ofclaim 15, wherein the attachment portion defines a first end of thebody, and further comprising a tip portion formed at a second end of thebody opposite the attachment portion, wherein the cutting portionextends from the tip portion to a third end of the body; and wherein thebody has a length measured generally parallel to the plane from thefirst end to the second end, wherein the third end of the body is spacedfrom the first end of the body such that the attachment portion isoffset from the cutting portion by an offset distance measured generallyparallel to the plane, and wherein a ratio of the offset distance to thelength is between approximately 0.2 and approximately 0.4.
 22. The sawblade of claim 21, wherein the offset distance is approximately 2.8inches.
 23. The saw blade of claim 15, wherein the attachment portiondefines a first end of the body, and further comprising a tip portionformed at a second end of the body opposite the attachment portion; andwherein the body has length measured generally parallel to the planefrom the first end to the second end, and wherein a ratio of the firstheight to the length is between approximately 0.17 and approximately0.31.
 24. The saw blade of claim 23, wherein the ratio of the firstheight to the length is approximately 0.18.
 25. A saw blade for use witha reciprocating saw, the saw blade comprising: a body having a back edgeand defining an opening; an attachment portion extending from the body,the attachment portion including a tang and an aperture configured toconnect to the reciprocating saw; and a cutting portion formed on thebody opposite the back edge, the cutting portion including a pluralityof cutting teeth, a first floor guard tooth positioned adjacent at leastone of the plurality of cutting teeth, and a second floor guard toothspaced apart from the first floor guard tooth and positioned adjacent atleast one of the plurality of cutting teeth, each cutting tooth having atip that defines a plane, the first floor guard tooth and the secondfloor guard tooth extending from the body beyond the plane; wherein thebody has a first height measured generally perpendicularly from the backedge to the plane, wherein the attachment portion has a second heightmeasured generally perpendicular to the plane, and wherein a ratio ofthe first height to the second height is between approximately 4 andapproximately 5; wherein the opening facilitates flexing the body whileperforming a flush cut with the saw blade; and wherein the attachmentportion is offset from the plane to reduce interference of thereciprocating saw with a surface while performing a footer cut with thesaw blade, and wherein the first floor guard tooth and the second floorguard tooth contact the surface while performing the footer cut toinhibit the plurality of cutting teeth from contacting the surface. 26.The saw blade of claim 25, wherein the first floor guard tooth and thesecond floor guard tooth are each approximately twice as long as eachcutting tooth, and wherein each floor guard tooth has a relatively flatsurface that is generally parallel to the plane.
 27. The saw blade ofclaim 25, wherein each cutting tooth, the first floor guard tooth, andthe second floor guard tooth are separated by a gullet, wherein eachcutting tooth has a third height measured generally perpendicular to theplane from a base of a corresponding gullet, wherein each of the firstfloor guard tooth and the second floor guard tooth has a fourth heightmeasured generally perpendicular to the plane from a base of acorresponding gullet, and wherein a ratio of the fourth height to thethird height is approximately 1.1.
 28. The saw blade of claim 25,wherein the first floor guard tooth and the second floor guard toothboth extend approximately 0.01 inches beyond the plane.
 29. The sawblade of claim 25, wherein the attachment portion extends from the bodygenerally parallel to the plane at a zero degree tang angle.
 30. The sawblade of claim 25, wherein the first height of the body is at least 2inches.
 31. The saw blade of claim 25, wherein the attachment portion isspaced an offset distance from the plane, and wherein a ratio of theoffset distance to the first height is between approximately 0.6 andapproximately 0.8.
 32. The saw blade of claim 25, wherein the attachmentportion is offset approximately 1.5 inches from the plane.
 33. The sawblade of claim 25, wherein the attachment portion defines a first end ofthe body, and further comprising a tip portion formed at a second end ofthe body opposite the attachment portion, wherein the cutting portionextends from the tip portion to a third end of the body; and wherein thebody has a length measured generally parallel to the plane from thefirst end and the second end, wherein the third end of the body isspaced from the first end of the body such that the attachment portionis offset from the cutting portion by an offset distance measuredgenerally parallel to the plane, and wherein a ratio of the offsetdistance to the length is between approximately 0.2 and approximately0.4.
 34. The saw blade of claim 25, wherein the attachment portionextends from a first end of the body, and further comprising a tipportion formed at a second end of the body opposite the attachmentportion; and wherein the body has a length measured generally parallelto the plane from the first end to the second end, and wherein a ratioof the first height to the length is between approximately 0.17 andapproximately 0.31.
 35. The saw blade of claim 25, wherein the firstfloor guard tooth is spaced approximately 7.25 inches from the secondfloor guard tooth.